Lens



Dec. 19, 1939. 8 s. J. HEAVYSIDE 2,183,885

LENS

Filed April 26, 1937 3 SheetsSheet 2 12 INVE/VTOR STUART J. fizwvysm:

ATTORNfYS 1939. 5. J. HEAVYSIDE 2,183,885

LENS Filed April 26, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 44 we? 33 seyzy 45 T F uvvzwrok STUART J. Han/yams ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 19, 1939 LENS Stuart J. Heavyside, Dayton,

The

Univis Corporation, Wilmington,

Ohio, assig'nor to Del., :1.

corporation of Delaware Application April 2 1937, Serial No. 138,908

2 Claims. (01. s8 54) This invention relates to ophthalmic lenses, and in particular; to multifocal lenses having prismatic powers in the segments.

8. One object of this invention is to provide a -.multifoca1 lens having a predetermined prismatic power in the segment thereof, this segment being fused into the major portion of the lens.

Another object is to provide'a fused multifocal lens having a prismatic segment of a different 10 index of refraction secured within the major portion of the .lens.

- Another object is to provide a multifocal lens having a major portion with a countersink and abutton secured therein, consisting. of a carry- 1 .ing member and a segment inserted in a cutaway portion thereof so .as to provide a predetermined prismatic power in the segment.

-Another object is to provide a multifocal lens having a major portion with a countersink and 90,-a button secured therein, having a portion cut away from the edge thereof and containing a segment of a different index of refraction so as to cause the segment to have a prismatic power.

Another object is to provide a-multifocal lens 25. consisting of a major portion with a countersinkanda button secured therein, having an edge cutaway portion with a multiple segment secured therein, havingparts of different indices of .refraction "so as to provide prismatic powers of predetermined amount in one or more of said segment parts. I

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front view of a major portion with a'countersink therein for making the multifocal lens of this invention.

- Figure 2 is a section along the line 2-2 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front view of a carrying member for insertion in the countersink of Figure 1..

Figure 4 is a section along the line l-l in Figure 3.

' Figure 5 is a front view of a'segment for inser-' tion in a cutaway portion of the carrier button of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a side in Figure 5.

'Figure 7 is a front view of the assembled button'with the segment of Figure 5 secured in the 50 carrier member of Figure 3; and cut to a shape suitable for insertion in the countersink of Figure 1.

.1. Figure 8 is a section along the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

view of the segment shown 55 'Figure 9 is a section similar to Figure 8. but

- "Figure 10 is a section along the line blank of this invention, after the button has'been showing a slightly modified formof segment.

' made by surfacing the blank of Figure 20. I

v 'FigureBO is a section along the line 30-30 in showing the button after the countersink contacting surface has been ground.

of Figure 11, showing the button after being secured within the countersink of Figure 1.

Figure 11 is a front view of the multifocal lens secured in the countersink.

Figure 12 is a front view of the completed lens made by surfacing the blank shown in Figure 11. 10

Figure 13 is a section along the-line l-3-l3 in Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a view similarto Figure 7, but

Figure 15 is a front view of a modified form of 15 carrier member. Figure 16 is a front view ment for insertion in the Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a front view of a button after the multiple segment of Figure 16 has been secured within the carrier member of Figure 15.

Figure 18 is a section along the line iii-l8 in Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a section along the line Iii-l9 in Figure 20. a

Figure 20 is a front view of a 'trifocal 'lens blank after the button of. Figure 17 has been secured within the coun rsink of the major portion. v Figure 21 is a front view of a completed lens of a multiple segcarrier member of Figure 22 is a view of a button similar to Figure 17 but of a slightly modified form.

Figure 23 is a section along the line 23'23 in 86 Figure 22. i

Figure 24 is a section along the line 24-2fin Figure 25. a

Figure 25 is a front, view of a trifocal lens blank made by securing the modified button of Figure'22 in the countersink of the major-portion. Figure 26 is a, front view of a finishedilens made by surfacing'the blank ofFigure 25. Figure 27 is a front view; of a carrier member of a further modified form; r 4 Figure 28 is a front view of a. multiple segment for insertion-in the carrier member of Figure 27.

Figure 29 is a front view of a completed button after the segment of Figure 28 is secured within the carrier member of Figure 2'! and sur-. faced ready for insertion in the. countersink of the major portion.

Figure 29.,

Figure 31 is a section along the line 3|- 3| in Figure 29.

Figure 32 is a front view of a trifocal lens blank after the segment of Figure 29 has been 5 fused into the countersink of the major portion. Figure 33 is a front view of the finished lens made by surfacing the blank of Figure 32, the segment prism bases being in a horizontal direction.

m Figure 34 is a front view of a completed button, wherein .three' segments have been inserted in the cutaway portion of the carrier member.

Figure 35 is a section along the line 3535 in Figure 34. 15 Figure 36 is a section on the line 36-46 in Figure 34. Figure 37 is,a front view of a quadrifocal lens blank made by securing the button of Figure 34 in the countersink of the major portion. 20 Figure 38 is a front view of a quadrifocal lens made by surfacing the blank of Figure 37.

Figure 39 is a front view of a modified button for providing a prism segment with its base up or down. 25 Ingeneral, the multifocal lens of this invention consists of a major portion having a countersink in which is secured a composite button. This composite button consists of a carrier member having a cutaway portion or slot extendin from' the edge toward the center, and a segment of corresponding outline secured within this cutaway portion or slot. When the button side of the blankis surfaced to a common curvature, the segmentwill possess a prismatic power as well as afocal power. The segment is preferably made of a higher index of refraction than the major portion, and the carrier member of the same index of refraction as the major portion.

While the drawings, in Figures 1 to 14, show 40. a segment with the base of the prism toward the left, it will be understood that the base may be placed vertically, horizontally or obliquely,

in any'des'ired direction. In'Figures 15 to 26 isshown a trifocal lens made in the same manner,

5 but with the segment prism bas'esin a vertical direction. In Figures 2'7 to 33 is shown a trifbcal lens with the segment prism bases in a horizontal direction. Figures 34 to 38 show a quadrifocal lens with the segment prism bases gain a horizontal direction.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figures 1 and 2 show a major portion or major lens l having a countersink ll surfaced therein. A carrier member I! is preparedwith a cutaway 55 portion or slot l3 extending inwardly from the edge (Figures 3 and 4). Within this cutaway portion i3 is secured, as by fusing. a segment I4. The carrier member I} is preferably of the same index of refraction as the major portion 60 I3, whereas the segment I14 is preferably of a higher index of refraction.

' After the segment H has been secured to the carrier member I! to form thebutto'n, generally designated I3, the edge of the button J5 thus 65 formed is cut away, as at I! (Figure '2) so as to be of a proper outline for uniting with the countersink ll of the major portion Ill. The surface I1 is then given a curvature substantially corre-' sponding to the surface of the countersink 70 and the button I! is .then united, as by fusing.

with the major portion in (Figures and 11').

The button side ID of the major portion I3 is then surfaced to a common curvature l3, giving the finished lens shown in Figures 12 and 13. 75 Due to the fact that the carrier member I2 is of substantially the same index of refraction as the major lens I0, it disappears and becomes indistinguishable from the major portion ll so that the segment |4 alone becomes visible. This segment l4, however, now possesses three edges 6 20, 2| and 22, having buried shoulders, and a fourth edge 23 without a shoulder. The segment |4,'therefore, possesses a prismatic power due to the positive thickness diiference between the .edges 23 and 2|, the base of the prism being in 10 the direction of the edge 2|.

In Figures 12-and 13 the base of the segment prism I4 is shown to be in a horizontal direction and to the left. By rotating the segment I! in the countersink, or by cutting the slot l3 in an 15 oblique direction in the button II, the Segment may be given a prism with an oblique direction instead of purely horizontal.

The modified button 24 shown in Figure 14 consists of a carrier member l2 and a cutaway edge l6, as before, but the slot and segment 26 secured therein are of different outline. The segment 26 has a curved end 21 and the slot 23 a curved edge 23 corresponding thereto.- The appearance of the finished lens made by using 23 the button 24 will be similar to that of Figure 12, except that the edge 2| will be curved instead of fiat.

The trifocal lens of Figures 15 to 21, inclusive, is formed by preparing a carrier member 30 with a slot 3| therein, similar to the slot or cutaway portion l3 of Figure 3. Secured within this slot is a segment, generally designated 32, having portions 33 and 34 of different indices. of refraction, the completed button 33 being 36 shown in Figures 17 and 18. This button is surfaced as before with a surface 33, substantially the same as that of the countersink II in the major portion l0 and secured therein as by fusing. The completed blank is shown in 40 Figures 19 and 20. A finished lens is made from this blank by surfacing the button side 31 of the major portion It to a common curvature, the

finished lens being shown in Figure 21.

Because the carrier portion 30 is of substana tially the same index of refraction as the major portion l0, it disappears and becomes integral with the major portion It. The segment portions 33 and 34, however, being of diflerent indices of refraction, stand out and present the n appearance shown in Figure 21. It will be seen that these segment portions have common lateral edges 33 and 39, both being shouldered. A shouldered edge portion 40 separates the segment po'rtions 33 and 34. The segment portion 34 pos 5" sesses a top edge 4|, likewise having a shoulder. Since the shoulder of the segment 32 is at the top thereof, the bases of the prisms in the segment portions 33 and 34 are vertical. hence, possess prism base-up efiects. The segment edge 42- at the bottom thereof is without a-shoulder and merges substantially with the major portion I. I

Thus, if the segment portion 33 is of a high index of refraction and the segment portion 34 6 .ofan intermediate index of refraction relatively to the major portion It, the lensof Figure 21 will be a trifocal lens having prismatic intermediate and near portions 34 and 33, respectively, the prisms being base-up in both segments. If, however, the portion 34 is given a higher index than the portion 33, the portion 34 will be a near portion and the portion 33 an intermediate portion. The trifocal lens shown in Figures 22 to 26 is similar to the trifocal lens shown in 13 2,183,885 Figures 15 to 21, except that the'upp'er comers of the segment 32 are rounded, as at 43. The trifocal lens shown in Figures 27 -t'o' 33, inclusive, is similar to that shown in Figures 15 to 21, except that the bases of the prisms in the segments are horizontal instead of verticaL. For

this purpose the carrier member 44 is provided with a slot orcutaway portion 45 having a curved end '46. Secured within this cutaway portion 45 is amultiple segment 41 having portions 48 and 49 of different refractive indices, the completed button 50 being shown in Figures 29 to 31. This button is surfaced with a surface 5| ofcurvature suitable for engaging the countersink of the major blanklil and secured therein. The completed blank thus provided is shown in Figure 32.

When the button side of this blank is surfaced with a top edge 52 having a variable but buried shoulder and a shouldered bottom ing a boundary between the two tions. The segment portion 49 shouldered bottom edge 54, and have a common shouldered edge 55. It will be understood that these shoulders are not capable of being felt by running the finger over the lens, but are nevertheless present because of the difference in 'the indices of refraction between the major lens l0 and the segment portions 48 and 149, even though they are buried within the major ens l0.

edge 53, formlikewise has a In the trifocal lens of Figure 33 the bases of the prisms of the segment portions 48 and 49 are to the left, but 'it will be obvious that they could be equally well arranged to the right or in an oblique direction, in the event that the slot or cutaway portion 45 is cut obliquely .into the carrier member 44.

The quadrifocal lens shown in Figures 34 to 38 is made in a manner similar to the trifocal lens of Figures 27 to 33, and includes a carrier member 56 having a similar cutaway portion or slot 51, .in which is inserted a multiple segment 58 consisting of segment portions 59, 60 and 6| of indices of refraction difiering not only from each other but also from that of the major ,lens l8. These three segment portions are secured within the cutaway portion 51 of the carrier member 56, the latter being of substantially the same index of refraction as the major lens l0, and the resulting button is given a surface curvature on the surface 62, corresponding to that of the countersink When the button, generally designated 63, of Figure 34 is fused into the countersink of the major lens I, the completed blank of Figure 37 is obtained. When the button side of this blank is surfaced to a common curvature the finished lens, shown in Figure 38, is produced.-' In this finished lens the carrier member. 56 disappears, as before, leaving the three segments 59, 60 and 6| with buried and shouldered edges 64, 65, 66, 61 and 68. The edge 69 is'without a shoulder and merges substantially with the major lens l0. Accordingly, the bases of the three segments 59, 66 and 6| are to the left in Figure 38, but it will "the highest index will lens, providing vision segment porboth portions will stand out clearly because of a fraction relativelyto be obvious that they could be equally well directed to the right. If thecutaway portion 51 is placed can be also placed inan oblique direction.

The segment portions 59, 60 and 6| will have different focal powers, according to their respective refractive indices.

be adapted for vision at the nearest distance and that of the lowest'rethe distance vision provided by the inajorle'ns' obliquelyin the carrier member 56, the bases of the prisms in the segment portions 59, 68 and 6| The segment portion of 'fractive index at the farthest distance, excepting l0. Thus the lenso'f Figure 38 is a quadrifocai,

at four different distances. If the segment portion 59 is of a relatively low index of refraction, the portion 60 of an inter.-

mediate index a'ndthe portion 6| of a high'index, then the portion 59 will have a far-intermediate power, the portion 60 a. near-intermediate power and the portion 6| a near power.

The modified form of button i5 shown in Figure 39 has the purpose of providing a segment 19 with its base up or down instead of in or out, p

as in the segment l4 of Figures 1 to 13,-inclu sive.

The carrier member I2 is similar to that shown in Figure 3, and is provided with a similar slot l3 extending inwardly from an edge. Secured with- Y in this slot is a segment 10, of higher refractive index than the carrier member I2, and a filler portion .1] occupies the remainder of the space within the slot i3. This filler portion II is of the same index of refraction as the carrier member I2, and fills the space between the top edge of the segment and the edge of the carrier memher 2.

When this assembly is fused together the segment 19 and'filler portion 1| become firmly secured to the side walls of the slot l3 in the carrier member It. The button l5 thus formed is placed in the countersink of a major portion I, but with the filler portion 1| vertical. When fusing takes place and the button side of the blank is surfaced, the carrier member l2 and filler portion II will unite with and become substantially indistinguishable from the major portion 8 because they are of substantially the same index of refraction. The segment buried shoulder on all sides thereof. The edges 12 and 13 will be of different thickness, however, so .that the base of the prism in the segment will be vertical instead of horizontal, as in Figures 1 to 13. In the form shown in- Figure 39 the edge 13 will be thinner than the edge 12, hence, the base of the prism will be at the bottom of the segment and the apex at the top. I

It will be understood that I desire to comprehend within this-invention such modifications as come within the scope of the claims and the invention. I

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, iszi 1. In a multifocal lens, a majorlens having a countersink and a button secured within said countersink, said button consisting of a carrier member of substantially the same refractive index as the major lens, said carrier member hav ing an-elongated substantially rectangular cutaway aperture-extending outwardly to an edge thereof, the length of said aperture outwardly being greater than its width transversely and a substantially rectangular insert consisting ofa plurality of segments of. fl'erent indices of re- 10, however,

each ther and to said 7 5 to provide multiple prismatic segments, said insert having shouldered edges on both of its long sides and on one of its short sides buried within said major lens and an unshouldered edge on the other short side substantially merging with 10 said major lens.

'2. In a multi-iocal lens blank, a major lens having a countersink and a button secured in said countersink, said button consisting of a carrier member of substantially the same refractive in- 15 dex as the major lens, said carrier member having a horizontally elongated cutaway aperture therethrough extending outwardly to an edge thereof,

the length or said aperture horizontally being I greater than its width vertically, and a segment with opposite vertical edges of diiierent thickness-secured within said cutaway aperture and having an edge exposed at an edge of said carrier member, said segment having buried shouldered edges on both of its long sides and on the short side. nearest the center of said carrier member, whereby to provide a prism segment bifocal lens blank which may be surfaced into a finished lens merely by grinding away the blank surface by a thickness approximately equal to the thickness of said exposed segment shoulder in addition to suitably surfacing the opposite side of the blank. 15

STUART J. HEAVYSIDE. 

